Now altho' I was not of his mind yet there was truth in some things he offered for indeed many of the Instruments made use of to settle the Church at Jamaica in its infancy were of such warm Tempers and if report is true so indifferent in their morals that from the first beginning I never expected it would be settled with much peace or reputation for instead of

PAPERS RELATING TO CHURCHES IN QUEENS COUNTY. 343

taking an effectual care upon its first settling that none were employed therein but the best & soberest men and those of the fairest Characters & best reputation amongst the people and caressing and making use of such to help settle it, one M'' Cardell a transient person and of very indifferent reputation was recommended and made High Sheriff of that County and the settling of the Church was left in a great measure to Ms care and conduct by these imprudent measures the leading men were disobliged wliich soon chased away most of the good and sober people and left her only a very thin Congregation '

* *• * ***** # * *

As to the officers m Queens County Coll Hunter hath offerea to Coll Morris & me tliat if he would advise Mm to it and really believed it Avould be of service to the Church he would again alter the Commission and put in the very same he had displaced but as they are not many of 'em personally known to us so we durst not adventure to give liim tliat advice lest some of them being of M Cardell's recommending should be like Mm in temper and are rather of. opinion since M^ Poyer & Ms frienas will not tell the Government who they really believe to be good and sober men and truly fit to be in office that some sober & well tempered Gentlemen be sought out who are weU acquainted in that County and be desired to get a list of such as are of the fairest characters and best reputations as to their parts temper & lives and estates and that without any regard of who are or have been in place or not a new Commission be issued out consisting of the best and most fitting of the people and if any thing of that kind will do service to or recover the credit of the Church there it must in my opinion be after this manner.